Thursday, October 19, 2006

My cupola runneth over

As Simon and Maximus pointed out, something is definitely going on down at the old Mayfair in Ghuznee St. Whether or not it's going to be the new Il Casino, someone is certainly going to great lengths to restore it to its former grandeur, with this shiny new copper cupola installed atop its tower. The council's heritage inventory said of its past that "the tower has been stripped of its cupola, and an ornate wrought-iron balcony and verandah over the footpath have also been removed", so can we look forward to the balcony and verandah also reappearing soon?

When you see the buildng in context, what was a characterful (if "cluttered" and "eccentric" according to the heritage report) but shabby building looks like it'll become a real landmark in Ghuznee St. And while I share some of Maximus' misgivings about Glover Park, when Ghuznee St becomes a two-way inner-city street rather than a stretch of SH1 (less than a year away, according to the 'bypass' website) this could become a much more pleasant part of town.

I don't really know the guy, but credit where credit is due, Glen Hooker the owner of the Mayfair seems to be going to great lengths to bring this building back to its former 'glory'.

The site is critical to Glover Park becoming a great [or at least good] place, as a 'hinge' between Cuba and the park; if it were to open out I think it would go a long way to alleviating some of my concerns in activating the area.

If indeed Ill Casino then it would appear to be of sufficient magnitude to become a 'destination' restaurant/cafe to attract people there. So Mum and Dad in Ill Casino, the kids at zeal, uncle Charlie at checkmates and Grandma at global fabrics, naturally it becomes fun for the whole family…...